MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone proposed for German collaborative combat aircraft plans
NewsAugust 11, 2026
DUSSELDORF, Germany. Boeing and Rheinmetall are proposing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as a platform for Germany to develop Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) capabilities for air-to-ground and air-to-air operations, the company announced in a statement.
The companies say the MQ-28 could be used to integrate German sensors, weapons, and mission software while supporting development of tactics for operations involving crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
Rheinmetall plans to establish system-integration capabilities for the MQ-28 in Germany, including work involving software development and mission integration, the statement reads. Boeing is also working with Rohde & Schwarz, Diehl Defence, and HENSOLDT on an industrial network intended to support development and integration activities within Germany, according to the statement.
The MQ-28 has participated in multinational exercises, including Exercise Valiant Shield, and has undergone testing with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Boeing says.
The aircraft also uses a digital twin to support development based on flight-test data, while its modular architecture is designed to accommodate changes to sensors, software, and mission configurations, the company states.
